The
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Wong), also on
behalf of Senators Bernardi, Gichuhi, Hanson-Young and Xenophon,
pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion,
moved general business notice of motion no. 399—

(1)
That the Senate—

(a)
affirms its support for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan;

(b)
expresses deep concerns about allegations of theft and corruption
in management of water resources in the Barwon-Darling Basin raised
by the Four Corners report on 24 July 2017;

(c)
notes the matter has been referred to the Australian National Audit
Office and New South Wales authorities for investigation;

(d)
considers a state-based inquiry into allegations, revealed in the
report, to be insufficient and that the only way to ensure
confidence in states’ commitment to achieve the Murray-Darling
Basin Plan is through a national investigation;

(e)
calls for the establishment of an independent national judicial
inquiry through the Council of Australian Governments; and

(f)
calls on all governments to commit to achieving a healthy,
sustainable Murray-Darling Basin which supports the future
prosperity of the communities which rely upon it.

(2)
That this resolution be communicated to the House of
Representatives for concurrence.

Statements
by leave : Senator Wong, the Assistant Minister to the Prime
Minister (Senator McGrath) and Senators Hanson-Young, Xenophon and
Bernardi, by leave, made statements relating to the
motion.